Category : Tutorials + Patches
Archive   : STAC0694.ZIP
Filename : 4501.TXT

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STACKER NOTE STACKER NOTE
ADAPTEC SCSI DISK CONTROLLER WITH STACKER
(Applies to Stacker 4.x)
STAC FAX 4501 (01-31-1994)
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BACKGROUND

This document covers the use of the Adaptec 154x SCSI controller
and MS-DOS 6.0/6.2, or PC-DOS 6.1 with file dates 9/30/93 or
later, with Stacker. Under certain conditions, use of an Adaptec
controller with a Stacker drive can make it appear as though your
disk contains no data even though the root directory is
preserved. Your data is intact.

SOLUTION

- Properly install the Adaptec controller.
- Properly configure Stacker, Smartdrv and ASPI4 DOS 6.

Properly install the Adaptec controller

If you are using an Adaptec 154x bus-mastering SCSI disk
controller, be sure that Adaptec's ASPI (Advanced SCSI
Programming Interface) manager is properly installed on your
system. Install the ASPI DOS managers as well to help DOS
communicate with the SCSI host adapter more effectively and allow
additional SCSI devices. You'll need the ASPI DOS managers also:

- To support programs that use virtual memory (such as
Microsoft Windows 3.0 and 3.1, QEMM 386 and Qualitas
386MAX)
- To support programs that write large amounts of data
directly to video memory (AHA-1540, 1542, and 1640 host
adapters only)
- When more than two hard disk drives are already installed
- To install a SCSI drive that is configured at a SCSI ID
other than 0 or 1
- To install removable media such as a CD-ROM or tape backup
drive

For example, if you are using a AHA 1542/B, or 1542/C controller,
the following lines should be included in your CONFIG.SYS file:

FILES=40
BUFFERS=20
DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS
DOS=HIGH,UMB
DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE NOEMS
DEVICE=C:\ADAPTEC\ASPI4DOS.SYS

Note
Adaptec does not recommend loading the ASPI4DOS manager high with the 154x/B card,
but that is possible with the 1542/C model. See your Adaptec software manual for
further details regarding proper installation of this and other ASPI DOS manager
software.

Properly configure Stacker

Stacker can work with the Adaptec controller if one of the
following is true:
- The /EMS switch is not used in STACKER.INI
- Use double buffering when loading Smartdrv
- ASPI4 DOS 6 is installed.

1. To examine or edit the STACKER.INI file type ED at the Dos
prompt. From the File menu, select STACKER.INI. When the
file displays, look for a line with the switch /EMS. If the
switch is present, remove it, save the file, then restart
your computer.
2. Install Smartdrv double buffering in accordance with the DOS
instructions.
3. Install ASPI4 DOS 6 in accordance with Adaptec's
instructions.

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Copyright 1994 Stac Electronics